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Colorado Lease Agreement Template

A Colorado lease agreement formalizes an arrangement between a landlord and tenant for renting commercial or residential property. After the landlord screens the tenant, a lease should be negotiated and drafted. Once signed, it becomes legally binding between the parties.
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Updated April 14, 2025

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Rental Application – A tool the landlord uses to obtain the tenant’s personal information and consent to run a background check and credit report.

By Type (6)

Standard Lease Agreement – Fixed-term arrangement with a start and end date. Typically for one year.

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Commercial Lease Agreement – For the use of any type of non-residential property, including but not limited to land, office, retail, industrial, and storage space.

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Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – Known as a “tenancy at will,” which allows the tenant and landlord to have a basic rental arrangement with no end date. The contract is canceled by sending a notice to the other party.

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Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement– Standard residential lease template with the added option of being able to purchase the premises.

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Room Rental (Roommate) Agreement– Contract amongst roommates to clarify payment, cleaning, and everyday responsibilities of the rental unit.

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Sublease Agreement – Allows a subtenant, with the written consent of the landlord, to take over another’s lease.

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Required Disclosures (7)

1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure & EPA Pamphlet – Under federal law, required for any housing structure built prior to 1978.[1]

2. Copy of Lease – A copy of the lease agreement should be given to the tenant no later than the seventh day after it’s been executed by all parties.[2]

3. Landlord’s Name and Address – A statement in the lease indicating the landlord’s name and address must be mentioned.[3]

4. Radon Disclosure & Radon Brochure – Requires landlords to disclose any knowledge of radon concentrations at the property and issue a warning statement on the dangers of radon to prospective tenants.[4] In addition, landlords must provide the most recent copy of the “Radon in Real Estate & Rental Transactions” brochure.[5][6]

5. Bed Bug Disclosure (conditional) – It is prohibited for a landlord to offer for rent a dwelling with bed bugs. Upon request by the tenant, the landlord must disclose any presence of bed bugs within the last eight months.[7]

6. 5 or Fewer Rental Homes (conditional) – If the landlord owns 5 or fewer single-family rental homes, they can issue a 5-day notice to quit versus a 10-day period if this is mentioned in the lease.[8]

7. Warranty of Habitability – Every residential lease agreement entered into on or after January 1, 2025, must contain the following statement regarding the tenant’s right to safe and healthy housing under Colorado’s warranty of habitability:

“EVERY TENANT IS ENTITLED TO SAFE AND HEALTHY HOUSING UNDER COLORADO’S WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY AND LANDLORD IS PROHIBITED BY LAW FROM RETALIATING AGAINST A TENANT IN ANY MANNER FOR REPORTING UNSAFE CONDITIONS IN THE TENANT’S RESIDENTIAL PREMISES, REQUESTING REPAIRS, OR SEEKING TO ENJOY THE TENANT’S RIGHT TO SAFE AND HEALTHY HOUSING.“

Additionally, every rental agreement must include a bolded statement in English and Spanish that states (i) an address where the tenant can mail or personally deliver written notice of an uninhabitable condition and (ii) an e-mail address or accessible online tenant portal or platform where the tenant can deliver written notice of an uninhabitable condition.[9]

Security Deposit

Maximum – A landlord may not require a security deposit exceeding two month’s rent.[10] Landlords may also charge an additional, refundable security deposit for allowing pets. If so, the additional deposit may not exceed $300.[11]

Collecting Interest – Landlords are not legally required to pay interest on the tenant’s security deposit.

Returning – The landlord must send payment within one month if the lease does not mention a return timetable. If the lease does specify a return deadline, it cannot be more than 60 days.[12]

  • Gas Equipment – If the lease was broken due to a hazardous condition because of gas equipment, the tenant should receive their money within 72 hours.[13]

When is Rent Due?

Grace Period – There is a seven-day grace period for late rent in Colorado. No penalties on rent can be charged until the eighth day.[14] However, the landlord can issue a Demand for Compliance the day after rent is late.

Maximum Late Fee ($50 or 5%)  – Landlords can charge a late fee of $50 or 5% of the amount of past due rent, whichever is greater, provided that the late fee is disclosed within the lease agreement.[15][16]

NSF Fee – A landlord may charge up to $20 for a bounced check.[17]

Withholding Rent – Landlords are obligated to ensure that a rental property is fit for human habitation.[18] If a tenant provides notice of issues in breach of the warrant of habitability and the landlord does not respond appropriately, the tenant can deduct the cost of repairs from rent payments.[19]

Right to Enter (Landlord)

There are no rules regarding a landlord’s entry in Colorado. It is recommended that a landlord give 24 to 48-hour notice prior to a non-emergency entry.

Abandonment

Absence – A rental property is considered abandoned if, before the completion of the lease term, the tenant returns the keys, provides notice, removes their belongings, or is absent for an extended period without paying rent.[20] Landlords can reclaim abandoned property in Colorado without going to court.

Breaking a Lease – If a tenant breaks the lease early without a valid justification (such as military service), the landlord is entitled to collect rent for the remainder of the lease term. No statute requires landlords to mitigate damages by promptly re-renting the property, though doing so is a best practice.

Tenant’s Utility Shutoff – While the law does not specifically require tenants to maintain essential utilities, tenants must use the premises, including electrical and other essential facilities, in a reasonably clean and safe manner.[21]

Unclaimed Property – Property left behind by a former tenant is presumed abandoned after 30 days.[22] At least 15 days before disposing of or selling the items, the landlord must attempt to notify the owner.[23]

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Sources

  1. 42 U.S. Code § 4852d
  2. C.R.S. § 38-12-801(1)
  3. C.R.S. § 38-12-801(2)
  4. C.R.S. § 38-12-803
  5. Dept. of Public Health & Environment (Radon and real estate)
  6. C.R.S. § 38-12-803(2)(a)(III)
  7. C.R.S. § 38-12-1005
  8. C.R.S. § 13-40-104(5)(b)
  9. C.R.S. § 38-12-505(3)(c)
  10. C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5
  11. C.R.S. § 38-12-106(1)
  12. C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)
  13. C.R.S. § 38-12-104(3)
  14. C.R.S. § 38-12-105(a)
  15. C.R.S. § 38-12-105(b)
  16. C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1)(c)
  17. C.R.S. § 13-21-109(1)(b)(I)
  18. C.R.S. § 38-12-503
  19. C.R.S. § 38-12-507(1)(e)(I)
  20. C.R.S. § 38-12-510(1)
  21. C.R.S. § 38-12-501(1)
  22. C.R.S. § 38-20-116(1)
  23. C.R.S. § 38-20-116(2)